Sewing machine mechanism



fl 6 7 0 w l 1 v 00 t M W m w a a 8 v an M 9 J n F a, |v a 1 e n 6 9 mm: 2 v o. J l 9 w o 326 J o o o m 7 w U y 6 l flii'orneys Feb. 25, 1936. F. N. ROSS El AL SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 3, 1931 33 7M, Mm,

Feb; 25, 1936. F. N. ROSS ET AL 2,031,905

SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 3, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 flflorn eys.

Feb. 25, 1936. N. 055 ET AL 2,031,905

SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 3, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jnveniors:

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Feb. 25, 1936. F. N. Ross ET AL SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 3, 1931 Feb. 25, 1936. F. N. ROSS ET AL SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed D90. 3, 1951 Feb. 25, 1936. F. N. ROSS ET AL SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 3, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 V1 2 p 145 i arnqys Wfi bm,

Feb. 25, 1936.

F. N. ROSS ET AL SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed D90. 3, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEWING MACHINE MECHANISM Frederick N. Ross, Grosse Pointe Park, and Horace L. Johnson, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a. corporation of Michigan v Application December 3, 1931, Serial No. 578.630 28 Claims. (Cl. 112-2) This invention relates to the manufacture of ing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also upholstery, such as is commonly known as tubuit is to be understood that the phraseology or lar upholstery for use in making vehicle seat terminology employed herein is for the purpose cushions, and has for its object the provision'of of description and not of limitation, and it is not an efficient machine for producing a product intended to limit the invention beyond the terms 5 of this general character. The present applicaof the several claims hereto appended as considtion is a continuation in part, and with respect to ered in view of the prior art and the requirecertain subject matter, of a prior application filed ments thereof.

February 12, 1931, Serial No. 515,333. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated The invention will be more clearly understood in the accompanying drawings which show a ma- 10 from the following description in conjunction chine for making a tubular upholstery having a with the accompanying drawings, in which, top or finish fabric F (Fig. 24) which is gathered Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine laterally or transversely of the strip, web, or sheet embodying the invention; of fabric to provide a series of longitudinally ex- Fig. 1a is a diagrammatic detail view of a portending channels or tubes T secured at their 15 tion of the machine; edges to a fiat strip, web, or sheet of lining fab- Fig. 2 is an end elevational view as viewed from ric L by parallel lines of stitching S. For this the right of Fig. 1; purpose, the edges of the top fabric F are folded Fig. 3 is an end elevational view as viewed from and the resulting ribs or folds f are turned over the left of Fig. 1; so that one face thereof is parallel to the lining 20 Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken upon fabric and extends laterally or transversely of the lines 44, 55, 6-6 and 'l--'l respectively the latter. Each of the tubes T is padded and in of Fig. 2; 1 the present instance a strip of cotton batt B Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a is inserted therein. The product is illustrated portion of the machine; in Fig. 24 with the top fabric below the lining 25 Figs. 9 to 15 inclusive are sectional views taken fabric, this being the relative positions of these upon the lines 9-9, Ill-40, ll-ll, l2l2, fabrics as they pass through the machine and l3l3, M-M and l5-l5 of Fig. 8; are being assembled to produce the final product. Fig. 15A is a sectional elevational detail view The machine comprises a frame [0 which carof a portion of the machine; ries the various cooperating instrumentalities for 30 Figs. 16 and 17 are each detail perspective views producing the desired product. These instruof one of the parts of the machine; mentalities, in general, include a gathering mech- Fig. 18 is a detail view partly in section of a anism, generally indicated by the reference charportion of the looper; acter G (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) adapted to gather in 55 Fig. 19 is a, fragmentary end elevational view the top fabric F transversely thereof to produce of a portion of the machine; the tubes T. The fabric F passes from the gath- Fig. 20 is a side elevational view partly in secering mechanism G to a forming mechanism, tion of the portion of the machine shown in generally indicated by the reference character Fig. 19; P (Figs. 8 and 11), adapted to form and turn Figs. 21 and 22 are sectional detail views showthe folds At the same time suitable padding, ing the relation ofthe needle and looper at difsuch as a strip of cotton batt B, is fed and guided ferent stitches in the operation of the machine; into each tube T by suitable mechanism, gener- Flg. 23 is a fragmentary detail sectional view ally indicated by the reference character C (Fig. showing the relation of the parts of the product 4), and the lining fabric L is fed and guided upon 1 being produced as the seams are being stitched; the top fabric F, having the batts B assembled Fig. 24 is a detail sectional view of the finished in the tubes T thereof, by mechanism generally product; and indicated at D (Fig. 4). The materials thus as- Figs. 25 to 34 inclusive are diagrammatic views scmbled are fed by suitable me hanism, dillustrating the formation of the stitch. ing a knurled feed roll R, between a cooperating in) Before explaining in detail the-present invenseries of sewing heads and loopers, generally intion, it is to be understood that the invention is dicated by the reference characters H and J renot limited in its application to the details of spectively (Fig. 4), which cooperate to form the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated parallel lines of stitching S passing through the in the accompanying drawings, since the invenlining fabric L and the folds or turned over ribs 1.

tion is capable of other embodiments and of be- The instrumentalities above referred to are 55 actuated from ,any suitable source of power such as a motor N (Fig. 1) mounted upon a bracket |2 carried by the frame l0. A pulley I3 is fixedupon the armature shaft of the motor and is connected to a pulley |4 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 65, as by a belt IS. The pulley |4 may be operatively connected with the shaft l5 by suitable clutch mechanism, generally indicated by the reference character H. The shaft I5 is mounted for rotation at one end in suitable bearings l8 carried by a bracket l9fixed upon the frame I0. The other end of the shaft 5 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings within a casing 20 carried by the bracket l2. A worm 2| fixed upon the shaft I5 is adapted to engage a worm wheel22 carried by a shaft 23 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the casing 20. The shaft 23 extends through the inner wall of the casing 20 and is provided with a sprocket wheel 25 between the casing 20 and the frame Ill. The sprocket wheel 25 is connected with a. sprocket Wheel 26 on a shaft 21 by a chain 28. The shaft 21 is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in the frame Ill and carries the feed roll R. The chain 28 passes under an idler sprocket wheel 38 and over an idler sprocket wheel 3| and drives a sprocket wheel 32 carried by a shaft 33 rotatably mounted in the frame. A second sprocket wheel 34 carried by the shaft 33 inside the frame Ill is operatively connected with a sprocket wheel 38 carried by a shaft 31 rotatably mounted in a suitable bracket 38 by a drive chain 42 which passes over the idler sprocket wheel 43 and between the idler sprocket wheels 44 and 45. A sprocket wheel carried by a shaft 4| mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in the frame also is driven by the chain 42. A roll 41, preferably, having a perforated metal covering, is mounted upon the shaft 31 for feeding the lining fabric L to the guide mechanism D. The shaft 4| is provided with a gear 48 which is operatively connected with a gear 49 carried by a shaft 50 by an idler gear 5|. The shaft 58 is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in the frame I0 and carries a roll 53 adapted to feed the strips of cotton batt B to the feeding and guiding mechanism C.

A shaft 55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in a casing 56 and in a bracket 51, each of which is secured upon the exterior of the frame Hi. The shaft 55 is driven by the shaft 5 through a chain 58 connecting sprocket wheels 59 and 68 carried by the shafts l5 and 55 respectively. A bevel gear 6| (Fig. 2) is mounted upon the shaft 55 within the casing 56 and-is adapted to engage a bevel gear 62 carried by a shaft 63 mounted for rotation in suitable bearings carried by brackets 64 secured to a cross member 65 of the frame. The shaft 63 serves to actuate the needle heads H as will be described hereinafter. The shaft 55 also is provided with an eccentric 61 adapted to be engaged by an eccentric ring 68 carried by one end of a rod 69, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a rod 10 which is operatively connected to the looper mechanism J as will be described hereinafter.

The shaft 63 is provided with an eccentric 12 which engages an eccentric ring 73 carried by one end of a rod I4, the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 15 fixed upon a shaft I6 mounted for rotation in suitable bearings carried by brackets 11. The brackets 11 (Figs. 3 and 4) depend from and are adjustably secured in a cross member 58 of the frame as by T-headed bolts 19 engaging similarly shaped slots in the cross member 18. The shaft 16 is operatively connected with the looper mechanism J as will be described hereinafter.

A fiat strip or web of finish fabric F passes into the machine over a felt coated roll 82 having peripheral grooves 82a and suitably mounted for rotation in the frame and extending transversely of the machine. The fabric F is transferred from the roll 82 to the gathering mechanism G. The gathering mechanism comprises a plurality of gathering disks or wheels 8|, 83 and 84 and outer wheels 83 and 84' all of which are suitably mounted for rotation upon a shaft 85 fixed in the frame I0. For this purpose, each of these wheels is mounted to rotate freely by means of a ball bearing which is arranged to be adjustably positioned on the shaft 85 to permit adjustment of each wheel. This bearing, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a ball bearing race one member of which is secured to a bushing 30! keyed to the shaft 85 for longitudinal adjustment and held in adjusted position by a set screw 302. The outer member of each ball bearing race is fixed to the hub of a wheel 84' by means of suitable clamping rings 303. The periphery of each of the wheels 8|, 83, 83', 84 and 84' is provided with a plurality of prongs 86 adapted to pass into and grip the fabric F and enter the peripheral grooves 82a in the roll 82. The set of wheels 83 and 83' is positioned upon one side of the wheel 8|, which in the construction illustrated is perpendicular to the shaft 85 and is inclined upwardly toward the same, while the set of wheels 84 and 84 is positioned upon the other side of the wheel 8| and is inclined upwardly towards the same. The inclination of the wheels 83 and 84 relative to the wheel 8| is greater than that of the adjacent wheel which is closer to the wheel 8| and consequently the peripheries of adjacent wheels 83 and 84 converge toward the upper side of the series.

The wheels 83' and 84', preferably, are parallel forming therein a lateral series of longitudinal fulnesses suflicient to permit the formation of the tubes T and the ribs f.

The forming mechanism is arranged to remove and receive the fabric F from the gathering mechanism, hold the same in gathered position, and fold it to form the ribs 1. This mechanism comprises a plurality of forming plates 90 (Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16) adjustably secured upon a cross member 9| of the frame, as by T-headed bolts 92 adapted to be received ina. similarly shaped slot 93 in the cross member 9|. One of the plates 90 extends rearwardly adjacent to and cooperates with each of the wheels 8 I, 83 and 84 to remove the fabric F therefrom. For this purpose the top edge of each plate 90 is positioned at approximately the upper limit of the periphery of the wheels 83 and 84 and curves downward slightly at its free end. The rear and intermediate portions of the plates 90 curve upwardly and laterally to provide a laterally projecting.

forming member 94 having an open-ended slot 95 at its rear end and positioning member 95 (Fig. 16) secured to the cross member 78, as by T-headed bolts 98 adapted to engage a similarly shaped A plurality of brackets 91 are adjustabiy slot 99 in the cross member, 18. Each of the brackets 91 is provided with spaced parallel depending ribs I and IOI adapted to receive therebetween one of the forming plates 90 and the upper portion of one of the wheels 8|, 83 and 84. A hollow tubular looper housing I02 is secured to the bottom of each rib I00 and is provided with openings I02a to permit the entry of a sewing needle as described hereinafter. The inner face of the forward end of each of the ribs I00 is provided with a longitudinal slot I03 into which the forming member 94 extends. A rod I05 (Figs. 4 and 8) is secured at its lower end to the forward end of each of the brackets 91 and is carried by a tubular bracket I06 adjustably mounted in a cross member I01 of the frame, as by 'T-headed bolts I00 adapted. to engage a similarly shaped slot I09 in the cross member The strips of cotton batt B are received from the feed roll 53 in guide funnels IIO (Figs. 3 and 4) each of which is provided with a rearwardly extending bracket III having a U-shaped recess II2 adapted to rest upon a rod I I3 extending between and carried by brackets II4 suitably secured upon the cross member 18. The front face of the cross member 18 is inclined downwardly and forwardly and is adapted to support the lower ends of the guide funnels IIO. A pair of toothed feed members II6 are suitably keyed upon the shaft 33 adjacent the lower end of each of the guide funnels IIO so as to assist in feeding and guiding the cotton batt strips B into the tubes T formed in the finish fabric F.

Suitable means is provided for guiding the lining fabric from the roll 41 upon the assembled finish fabric and cotton batts and comprises a plurality of vertically positioned guide arms I20 (Figs. 5 and 6) each adjustably secured upon the cross member I01, as by a T-headed bolt I2I adapted to be received in a similarly shaped slot I22 in the cross member I01. The cross member I01 also is provided with a transversely extending inclined shoulder I23 adapted to receive a. similarly shaped shoulder I24 upon each guide member I20. The lower end of each of the guide members I20 depends and is curved downwardly and forwardly from the cross member I01 between the sewing heads H and between the finish fabric and the lining fabric. Vertical guide members I25 extend downwardly from the cross frame 65 (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 20) and are suitably secured thereto, as by T-headed bolts I26 adapted to engage a similarly shaped slot I21 in the cross member 65. Each of the guide members I25 also is secured by a bolt I28 to a bracket I29 which is adjustably mounted in the cross member 65, as by a T-headed bolt I30 adapted to engage a similarly shaped slot I3I in the cross member 65. At each end of the cross frame member 65 are a pair of substantially vertically extending channel shaped members I and I35a (Figs. 2, 5 and '7) which are adjustably secured near their upper ends to the cross member 65 at each side of the guide members I25, as by T-headed bolts I36 adapted to engage the similarly shaped slot I21 in the cross member 65. Each of the members I35 and I35a also is secured to a bracket I39, as by a bolt I40, and extends downwardly and forwardly therefrom to a point approximately opposite the front of the sewing heads H. The brackets I39 are adjustably secured to the cross member 65, as by T-headed bolts I4I adapted to engage the similarly shaped slot I3I in the cross member 65. A plurality of aligned pronged wheels I34 are rotatably mounted in each of the members I 35 (see Fig. 7). The outer channel member I350. of each pair is outwardly inclined in order to gradually stretch the lining L and prevent its wrinkling.

Each of the brackets I29 is provided with spaced depending arms I44, (Figs. 2, 4, 19 and 20) the lower end of each of which is provided with a bearing adapted to rotatably receive the shaft 63. One of the sewing heads H is supported upon the shaft 63 between the arms I44 of each of the brackets I29 and comprises a casing I45 enclosing a worm I46 fixed upon the shaft 63 and adapted to engage a worm wheel I41 suitably mounted for rotation in the casing I45. A crank pin I48 is 'eccentrically positioned on and secured to the front face of the worm wheel I41. Oneend of a. link I49 is pivotally mounted upon the pin I48 and its other end is pivotally connected to a boss I50 fixed upon a needle shaft I52 slidably mounted in suitable bearings I53 and I54 in the the openings I02a in the looper housing I02 and through a hole I58 in a foot I59 depending from and adjustably secured to the lower end of the casing I45, as by bolts I60, engaging the foot I59 and passing through slot I in the casing.

The foot I59 is provided with a rearwardly extending fin IIiI adapted to be received in a vertically extending slot I25a in the lower forward face of the guide member I25.

Each sewing head H may be moved about the shaft 63 to an inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 20, for threading the needle I56 and may be held in such position by a looking finger I63 adapted to engage a lug I65 on the casing I45. The finger I63 is carried by an arm I64 pivotally mounted upon a pin I66 carried by the bracket I29. A spring I61 normally urges the arm I64 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 20. Each sewing head H is locked in its operative position abutting the lower forward end of a guide member I25 by an arm I10 pivotally carried by a pin I" on the guide member I25. The arm I10 is provided with a notch I12 which is normally maintained in engagement with a pin I13 on the casing I45 by a spring I14.

Each boss I50 is provided with a pair of spaced ears I15 each having an opening I16. The ears I15 extend forwardly through a slot I11 in a cover plate on the front of the casing. I45. A bracket I10 is suitably secured to the casing I45,

as by screws I19, and is provided with a nose I00 I extending downwardly and forwardly between the ears I15. A thread if is supplied from a suitable source such as spools s, and passes downwardly therefrom through a combined safety and tensioning device, generally indicated by the reference character IBI, and thence downwardly through an eyelet I82 carried by the casing I45 and then through the opening I16 in one of the ears I15 and over the nose I and thence through the opening I16 in the other car I15 and then downwardlly through the needle opening I84.

Each of the looper mechanism J which cooperate with the sewing heads H comprises a hollow looper in the form of a tube I (Figs, 2, 4, 13, 14, 15, 1'1, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23) providing a passage I SI for receiving the looper thread t. The thread it is supplied to the tube I90 from any suitable source, such as spools s, through a combined safety and tensioning device 23L The inner end of the looper I90 is closed by a solid end forming a portion I85 carrying a needle I98 eccentrically positioned thereon with respect to the axis of the looper I90 and extending inwardly into the slot I94 and having an eye or needle opening I91. The portion I85 is provided with thread passages I98 and I98. The looper tube I90 is slidably and rotatably mounted in the looper housing I02. g

A tubular bearing 200 (Fig. 8) is suitably secured to the bracket 91, as by screws 20I in alignment with the looper housing I02. A bushing 202 is rotatably mounted within the bearing 200 and is provided with a key 203 (Fig. 15) adapted to be received in a longitudinal slot 204 in a sleeve 205 surrounding the tube I90 and slidably mounted within the bushing 202. A ring 206 is suitably clamped on the sleeve 205 in an annular groove 201 on its outer surface. The looper tube I90 is provided with a longitudinally extending key 21I0 adapted to be received in a longitudinally extending groove 2 in the sleeve 205. The tube I90 is suitably secured to the sleeve 205 by a cap 2I2 threaded upon the sleeve 205 and adapted to abut the key 2I0. The cap 2I2 is provided with a central opening providing a cam surface 213 adapted to engage a pin 2H; on the sleeve 2105 and also providing a groove 2I5 adapted to be turned to aline with the key 2 I0 to permit the tube I90 to be withdrawn from its housing I02.

The clamping ring 205 is provided with a lug 220 to which one end of a forked link 22I is pivotally connected. The other end of the link 22I is pivotally connected to one end of an arm 222 which is suitably secured to the shaft 15, as by a key 223. The arm 222, preferably, comprises two sections 8 and 9 which are adjustably connected by a pin 1 having an eccentric portion engaging one of the sections and which are clamped in adjusted position by nuts 6 threaded on the pin 1 and engaging the sections 8 and 9. The section 9 is provided with a nose extending between the two legs of the forked link 22!. A collar 225 is keyed upon the bushing 202 and is secured between the end of. the bearing 200 and a ring 2126 threaded upon the end of the bushing 202. The collar 225 is provided with an ear 228 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud 229 adjustably mounted in a slot 230 in the rod 10.

The finish fabric F, strips of cotton batt B and lining fabric L are drawn simultaneously through the machine between the sewing heads H and looper mechanism J by the feed roll R. Cooperating with the roll R (Figs. 1 and la) are a pair of presser rolls 304 and 305 extending across the front of the machine. These rolls are driven at the required peripheral speed to coact with the roll R in producing an. even pulling action on the materials. These presser rolls are carried at opposite ends by swinging arms 305 pivoted at 301 to brackets 308 extending from the side frames I0. Fixed to the shaft 21 is a gear 309 meshing with a pinion 3I0 on a stud which carries a sprocket adapted to drive by means of a chain 3 a sprocket mounted on the stud 301. The stud 301 also carries a second sprocket driving through chain 3I2 a sprocket mounted on a stud 3I3. The latter carries a gear which, through a series of meshing gears, drives the presser rolls 304 and 305 in the same direction as will be readily understood from Fig. 1a..

The finish fabric F in the form of a fiat strip first passes around the felt covered roll 82 and. is

engaged by the prongs 85 upon the wheels 8i, 83, 84, 83' and 84' which guide it from the lowest points to the highest points in the paths of travel. of these 'wheels.

In so doing the corresponding points on the wheels BI, 83 and 84 move relatively toward one another due to their inclined relation and consequently cause the portions of the fabric F therebetween to be gathered in to form the tubes or channels T. At this time the portion between the wheel 83' and the outer wheel 83 and the portion between the wheel 84' and the outer wheel 84 are held in a horizontal position (as shown in Fig. 2). As the fabric F reaches the top of the path of the wheels 8|, 83, 84, 83' and 84 it is engaged by the former plates 90 which remove the fabric from the wheels as it is being drawn toward the space between the sewing heads and looper mechanism. As the fabric F passes along the former plates 90 it is forced upwardly and turned over the looper casing I02 by the forming members 94 to form the ribs 1 as the fabric passes beneath the sewing needles I56. About the time that the fabric F begins to engage the former plates 90 the strips of cotton batt B are guided'into the channels or tubes T by the toothed wheels H5. The lining fabric L is then positioned and guided over the strips of cotton batt and in engagement with the folded or turned over portions of the ribs f by the guide members I20 and I25. The edges of the fabric L are held tight by the pronged wheels I34 thereby permitting the guides I20 to stretch the portions of the lining fabric L between the guides I25 (as best illustrated in Figs. 2, 5 and 23). As the finished fabric, cotton batt and lining fabric pass between the sewing heads and the looper mechanisms parallel lines of stitching s are formed to unite the turned over portions of the ribs f with the lining fabric L. Inasmuch as the finish fabric F is gathered in it must be slightly wider than the lining fabric L to allow for the formation of the tubes T and the ribs f. The tubes T may be made of any desired width by suitably adjusting the gathering wheels 83 and 84 and the wheels 83' and 84, the looper housing I02 and sewing heads H, the forming plates 90, the lining fabric guides and stretchers I20, I25, I35 and I35a, and the cotton batt guides H0 and H8.

In producing the lines of stitching s, the sewing needles I56 are reciprocated axially to 'pass through the lining fabric L, the ribs 1 and into the interior of the looper housing I 02 through the openings I02a. This reciprocation is caused by the rotation of the shaft 83 and worm gears 1 I48 thereon which is translated to a reciprocating movement through the worm wheels I41 and the pins I48 eccentrically carried thereby and operatively connected to the needle shafts I52 by the link I49. At the same time the looper tubes I90 are reciprocated axially and rotatively in a predetermined timed relation to the reciprocation of the sewing needles I58. The axial reciprocation of the looper tubes I90 is imparted thereto by the reciprocation of the shaft 16 which is operatively connected to the shaft 63 through the arm 15, rod 14 and eccentric strap 13 carried thereby and engaging the eccentric 12 mounted on the shaft 63. The rotative reciprocation of the looper tubes I90 is imparted by the rod which is connected to the ears 228 and is reciprocated by the rod 69 carrying the eccentric strap 68 engaging the eccentric 61 on the shaft 55. Thus, it will be noted that as the looper needle reciorocates axially it is caused to pass first at one side of the sewing needle and then at the other side as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 21 and 22.

The formation of each line of stitching is illustrated in Figs. 25 to 34. As the sewing needle advances between the looper needle and looper thread the looper needle is retracting (Fig. 26). This causes the sewing needle to pull a loop in the looper thread (Fig. 27). Before the looper needle has completed its retraction, the sewing needle starts to retract to produce a loop in the sewing needle thread (Fig. '28). The looper needle then advances and at the same time rotates so as to pass into the loop in the needle thread and pull the same as the sewing needle retracts (Fig. 29). When the sewing needle has passed out of the work, the latter advances a distance of one stitch before the sewing needle again enters it (Fig. 30). During this time the looper needle has rotated in the reverse direction to its previous rotation so as to be in a position to permit the sewing needle to pass between it and its thread and pull a loop therein as the looper needle retracts (Fig. 31). The looper needle then retracts a sufficient distance to free the first needle thread loop from the looper needle. About this time the sewing needle has advanced to near the limit of its stroke and is pulling its thread over the nose I80 which applies tension to the thread sufiicient to tighten the stitch. This sequence of operations is continuously repeated (as shown in Fig. 32) to produce the line of stitching as shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the former illustrating the stitching as viewed from the interior of the tubes T while the latter illustrates the stitching as viewed from the exterior of the lining L.

What we claim is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a sewing needle, a tube positioned in a planesubstantially perpendicular to said needle, a looper needle carried by said tube in parallel spaced relation to the axis of the tube, a tubular housing in which said tube is freely movable and having an opening to receive said sewing needle, means for reciprocating said sewing needle and tube axially, and means for rotatively reciprocating said tube during the reciprocation of the sewing needle.

2. In an upholstery machine, means for bringing covering and lining materials together along longitudinal lines and forming up said covering material along said lines to provide ribs projecting parallel to the plane of said lines with tubular portions between said ribs, and means for sewing said materials along each of said lines simultaneously by stitching extending through said lining material and the ribs of said covering material.

3. In an upholstery machine, means for bringing covering and lining materials together along longitudinal lines and forming up said covering material along said lines to provide ribs projecting parallel to the plane of said lines with tubular portions between the ribs, means for supplying .filling material into the open ends of the tubular portions between the materials as they are brought together, and means for sewing said materials along each of said lines simultaneously by stitching extending through said lining material and the ribs of said covering material.

4. In an upholstering machine, means for feeding a fabric and providing the same with ribs, means for projecting said ribs horizontally transversely of the fabric to present one longitudinal side of each rib upwardly, means for superposing a second fabric on the upwardly presented side of each rib, and means for sewing said materials along each of said lines simultaneously by stitching extending through the second fabric and the ribs of said first fabric. I

5. In an upholstery forming machine, means for forming one of the fabrics into ribs providing pleats therebetween, means for bending over each of said ribs simultaneously, means for conducting another fabric to and superposing the same on said ribs, and-means for uniting said fabrics by stitching extending through said second fabric and the ribs of said first fabric.

6. In an upholstery forming machine, means for forming one of the fabrics into ribs and providing pleats therebetween, means for bending over each of said ribs simultaneously, means for conducting another fabric to and superposing the same on said ribs, and means for uniting said fabrics by stitching extending from the exterior of the pleats through the second fabric and the ribs of the first fabric into the interior of the pleats and completed within the pleats by a looper.

'7. In an upholstery forming machine of the character described, means for gathering a material to form ribs with a fullness therebetween,

means for holding said ribs to form laterally extending seam ridges, means for bringing a second material together with said first m. :erial along the lines of said ribs to form tubes therebetween, and means for uniting said fabrics along each of said lines simultaneously by stitching extending through said second material and the ribs of said first material and completed within said tubes. I

8. In an upholstery forming machine, gathering means including rotatable devices for ingathering a flat material to form ribs with fullness therebetween, means for laterally bending said ribs to project the same transversely, means for bringing another material into a position parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means for uniting said materials thereafter by stitching extending through said second material and the ribs of said first material.

9. In an upholstery forming machine, gathering means including rotatable circular elements for transversely in-gathering a fiat strip of material to form longitudinally extending ribs with fullness therebetween, means for laterally bending said ribs to project the same transversely of said strip, means for bringing another material into a position parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means for uniting said materials by stitching extending through said second material and the ribs of said first material.

10. In an upholstery forming machine, rotatable gathering devices working in converging planes to in-gather a strip of material to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween, means for bringing a. strip of second material parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means to sew said ribs and second material to secure them in their final condition.

11. In an upholstery forming machine, a plurality of rotatable gathering disks working in converging planes to transversely in-gather a strip of material to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween, means for bringing a second strip of material in substantially flat condition parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means to sew said ribs and second material to secure them in their final condition.

12. In an upholstery forming machine, a plurality of rotatable gathering disks working in converging planes to transversely in-gather a strip of material to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween, means for bringing a second strip of material in substantially flat condition parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means to unite said materials along said lines by stitching. extending from one side of said second material therethrough and through said ribs and completed between said materials.

13. In an upholstery forming machine, means for transversely in-gathering a strip of material to form ribs with fullness therebetween including rotatable gathering disks working in converging planes and'peripherally engageable with said material, means for bringing a second strip of material parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means to sew said ribs and said second material to secure them in their final condition.

14. In an upholstery forming machine, means for transversely in-gathering a strip of material to form ribs with fullness therebetween including rotatable gathering disks working in converging planes and peripherally engageable with said material, means for laterally bending over said ribs, means for bringing a second strip of material parallel with said first material along the lines of said ribs, and means to sew said ribs and said second material to secure them in their final condition.

15. In an upholstery forming machine, gathering means including rotatable gathereing devices working in converging planes and peripherally engaging a web of material to transversely ingather the same to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween to produce pleats, other devices engaging the opposite edges of said material to guide the same, means for bringing another material into a position parallel with the first material along the lines of said ribs, and means for sewing said ribs and second material to secure them in their final condition.

16. In an upholstery forming-machine, gathering means including rotatable gathering devices working in converging planes and peripherally engaging a web of material to transversely ingather the same to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween to produce pleats, other devices engaging the opposite edges of said. material to guide the same, means for laterally bending said ribs to project the same substantially horizontally transversely of the material, means for bringing another material into a position parallel with the first material along the lines or said ribs, and means for sewing said ribs and second material to secure them in their final condition.

17. In the process of forming tubular upholstery, the steps of transversely gathering a strip of material to form longitudinal ribs with fullness therebetween to provide pleats, simultaneously bending each of said ribs laterally to present one longitudinal side of each rib upwardly, bringing a second strip of material into engagement with said first strip along the longitudinal lines of said upwardly presented rib sides, and uniting the materials by stitching extending through the longitudinal lines of said second material and the ribs of said first material.

18. In an upholstering machine, means for feeding two sheets of material into superimposed relation, means for forming in one of said sheets a series of upstanding parallel ribs with a fullness therebetween and for turning the free edges of said ribs over laterally into a position substantially parallel to said sheets, and means for uniting said sheets by Stitching passing through one thickness only of said other sheet and through both layers of the laterally turned edges of said ribs so that the ends of said ribs are positioned in the space bounded by said sheets and adjacent stitchings.

19. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced sewing needles, means for feeding two sheets of fabric into superimposed relation, a plurality of looper needles positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sewing needles and between said sheets and adapted to cooperate with the sewing needles, means for forming a series of parallel ribs in one of said sheets extending parallel to the plane of the looper needles, means for reciprocating said sewing needles axially through said ribs and said other fabric, means for reciprocating said looper needles axially, and means for reciprocating said looper needles laterally.

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a plurality of spaced sewing needles, means for feeding a sheet of fabric past said sewing needles, a plurality of tubes positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to said m) ing saidd fabric around said housing to form a series of longitudinal ribs extending parallel to the plane of said tubes and between said sewing and looper needles, and means for superimposing a strip of fabric upon said ribs and between the same and said sewing needles.

21. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a plurality of sewing heads,

means for feeding two strips of fabric past the sewing heads with one of said strips in engagement therewith, means adapted to engage 0pposite edges of said last named strip to hold it tight transversely as it is fed, and a guide member between adjacent sewing heads adapted to'stretch said last named strip therebetween in a direction away from the other strip.

22. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a plurality of' sewing heads, means for feeding a strip of fabric past the sewing heads and in engagement therewith, means adapted to engage opposite edges of said strip to hold it tight transversely as it is fed, means for feeding a wider strip of fabric, means for gathering in said wider strip of fabric to form tubes opposite said guides, means for forming ribs at the edges of said tubes opposite said heads, guide members between adjacent sewing heads adapted to stretch said first named strip therebetween in a direction away from said last named strip, and means for feeding strips of padding into said tubes opposite said guides.

23. Mechanism for laterally gathering a web of material and forming a lateral series of longitudinal fullnesses therein, which includes a series of spaced rotating members whose peripheries converge toward one side of the series, and means for passing said web in an arcuate path about the peripheries of said members and engaged therewith from a side of the series where said peripheries are relatively widely spaced to a side where they are relatively closely spaced.

24. Mechanism for laterally gathering a web of material and forming a lateral series of longitudinal fullness therein, which includes a series of spaced rotating members whose peripheries converge toward one side of the series, means on said peripheries for holding said web in engagement therewith, and means for passing said web in an arcuate path about the peripheries of said members from a side of the series where said peripheries are relatively widely spaced to a side where they are relatively closely spaced.

25. Mechanism for laterally gathering a Web of material and forming a lateral series of longitudinal fullnesses therein, which includes a series of spaced, freely rotating disks whose peripheries converge toward one side of the series, said 'peripheries being provided with points adapted to pierce the fabric, and means for drawing said web about said series of disks from a side thereof where said peripheries are relatively widely spaced to a side where they are relatively closely spaced.

26. Mechanism for laterally gathering a web of material and forming a lateral series of longitudinal fullnesses therein, which includes a series of spaced rotating members whose peripheries converge toward one side of the series, means for passing said web in an arcuate path about the peripheries of said members and engaged therewith from a side of the series where said peripheries are relatively widely spaced to a side where they are relatively closely spaced, and means for receiving said web from said members and retaining the same in gathered condition.

27. Mechanism for laterally gathering a web of material, which includes a series of rotating members whose peripheries are spaced apart from each other but converge towards each other at one side of the series, and feeding and guiding means for causing laterally spaced portions of said web to follow the peripheries of said members through arcuate paths from a side of the series where said peripheries are relatively widely spaced to a side where they are relatively closely spaced to gather said web inwardly and form fullnesses therein between said laterally spaced portions.

28. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a sewing needle, a tube disposed transverse to the path of movement of said needle, a looper needle carried by said tube in parallel spaced relation to the axis of the tube, means,

for reciprocating said sewing needle and tube axially, and means for rotatively reciprocating said tube during the reciprocation of the sewing needle.

FREDERICK N. ROSS. HORACE L. JOHNSON. 

